A collage of music and correspondence between Minna and Richard Wagner, compiled by Barbara Giese

Wagner and Lieder? For most people only his well known Wesendonck Lieder spring to mind. Wagner and his wife? Cosima von Bülow, of course. But no, Wagner’s first wife, of 30 years, was the actress Minna Planer. His jealousy forced her to give up her career, life was not easy: Fleeing from debt and political exile meant they were often forced to live apart. During these turbulent times Wagner composed many moving songs to try and raise money. Oper Frankfurt presents some of these little known early compositions and letters between man and wife.